Recent research has spotlighted the connection between diet and mental well-being, with a particular focus on the impact of ultra-processed foods (UPF) on depression risk. A cohort study conducted between 2003 and 2017 involved middle-aged females who initially had no depression. The study used validated food frequency questionnaires to track diet every four years and categorized UPF intake based on the NOVA classification system. Various UPF components were also examined. Two definitions of depression were employed: a strict one requiring self-reported clinician-diagnosed depression and regular antidepressant use, and a broader one involving clinical diagnosis and/or antidepressant use.
The study, involving 31,712 females, revealed that those with higher UPF intake had higher BMI, greater smoking rates, and a higher prevalence of comorbidities. They were also less likely to engage in regular exercise. The study identified an increased risk of depression among those with the highest UPF consumption, both for the strict and broad definitions. These associations remained significant even after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Reducing UPF intake by at least three servings per day was linked to a lower risk of depression.
The study highlights a strong association between higher UPF consumption, specifically artificial sweeteners and artificially sweetened beverages, and an elevated risk of depression. Although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, experimental data suggest that artificial sweeteners may affect brain purinergic transmission, potentially contributing to depression. The study’s strengths include its large sample size, prospective design, rigorous dietary assessment tools, and adjustment for multiple confounders. However, the study’s primarily non-Hispanic White female cohort limits its generalizability, and the absence of structured clinical interviews may have introduced some outcome misclassification.
In conclusion, this study emphasizes the importance of considering dietary choices, especially UPF consumption and artificial sweeteners, in the context of mental health. Further research is needed to better comprehend the underlying mechanisms and explore interventions to reduce UPF intake and mitigate depression risk.